When shopping for real estate, the most important factor is usually one thing: location, location, location. And when you’re job hunting, sometimes finding the perfect opportunity boils down to one strategy: networking, networking, networking. Professional associations are a wonderful way to connect with people in your industry, keep your skills and knowledge current, and let the right people know that you’re looking for a great job.

If you’re not involved, sign up.
If you’re not a member of your industry or profession’s association, find out how to join and start going to meetings. If your association offers volunteer opportunities, do everything you can to get involved. The more you do, the more people you’ll meet.

Keep your eyes and ears open.
Professional associations are a great way to get insider information on both your industry and open, or soon-to-be open, positions. By staying sharp and getting all the information you can, you might get an inside scoop and therefore a competitive edge. You could get the first shot at leads and referrals before anyone else hears about them.

Always be on your best behavior.
You never know who you might meet. Someone who seems average could end up being your next hiring manager, or they might know that person and become either a key referral or someone who won’t recommend you. Be careful to never burn bridges.

Remember that while you’re there to find a job, managers could be there to find people like you.
You’re attending professional association events in part to try to find a job. And many hiring managers are now using professional associations to find great candidates like you.

Meet everyone you can.
Don’t hover around the same group every time you attend an event. Meet as many new people as you can to maximize your possibilities and expand your network.

Attend frequently.
Don’t skip out on meetings. Make sure you show up as much as possible and are constant to continue meeting people and increase how much others recognize you.

Professional associations are a fantastic way to build your network, meet new business contacts, develop existing contacts, and get insider information on new jobs. Keep showing up, stay active, and the right opportunity might just find you.